Suggestions for daughter’s birthday present

April 10, 2025, 03:43 PM

2000Z-71

So my daughter turns 20 at then end of the month and I’m clueless on what to get her. She’s in flight school already has her private license, instrument rating, multi-engine rating and should have her commercial at the end of the semester.

For gifts I’ve already gotten her an iPad with preloaded apps for aviation, she carries my brother’s multi-tool that he carried in Iraq and this Christmas was a bomber jacket made from the patterns of the WWII WASP jackets.

So ideas welcomed, aviation themed ideas are even more welcome.

Thanks in advance.

April 10, 2025, 03:47 PM

Perception

Surefire Aviator

"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people."
"Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy."
"I did," said Ford, "it is."
"So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?"
"It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want."
"You mean they actually vote for the lizards."
"Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course."
"But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?"
"Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in."

April 10, 2025, 03:58 PM

HRK

Ray Ban Aviator Glasses...

April 10, 2025, 04:13 PM

phxtoad

Warbird ride! Is she in the Valley still, or in AK?

April 10, 2025, 04:19 PM

trapper189

Randolph Aviator sunglasses. Made in the USA and worth every penny especially if you get them on sale.

They don’t appear to be on sale ATM, but they apparently do prescriptions now. I quit wearing contacts about 6 years ago and gave my Randolph’s to my son. They have to be over 10 years old.

April 10, 2025, 04:21 PM

P250UA5

Aviator glasses are a good thought.
Polled my corp pilot friend [G650 pilot] for some ideas, will report back.

Still can't believe she's 20

Edit: Agree with below, some good crew luggage if she's going commercial

Edit 2 from my pilot friend:
A few ideas: model of her favorite airplane. aviator's watch (real watch, not apple), aviator's suitcase
See watch thread in the gallery for suggestions from the pros, if you go that route, and obviously Dave Truong.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: P250UA5, April 11, 2025 10:09 AM

April 10, 2025, 04:22 PM

Cookster

Something along the lines of a stylish Pilot’s Briefcase, perhaps -

Levinson Leather Goods

April 10, 2025, 04:31 PM

chellim1

The Sigforum answer would be a V-Tail!

"Some things are apparent. Where government moves in, community retreats, civil society disintegrates and our ability to control our own destiny atrophies. The result is: families under siege; war in the streets; unapologetic expropriation of property; the precipitous decline of the rule of law; the rapid rise of corruption; the loss of civility and the triumph of deceit. The result is a debased, debauched culture which finds moral depravity entertaining and virtue contemptible."
-- Justice Janice Rogers Brown

"The United States government is the largest criminal enterprise on earth."
-rduckwor

April 10, 2025, 04:32 PM

trapper189

^^^I don’t think his wife would approve.

April 10, 2025, 04:42 PM

2000Z-71

quote:
Originally posted by trapper189:
^^^I don’t think his wife would approve.

I don’t think my budget would approve.

April 10, 2025, 04:43 PM

71 TRUCK

How much are you looking to spend.
Depending on how much, maybe a nice watch that could be used for flying.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.

A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.

As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State

NRA Life Member

April 10, 2025, 04:53 PM

trapper189

How about Last Flight by Amelia Earhart? Fair warning, it’s a real cliffhanger.

April 10, 2025, 05:09 PM

dfwglockguy

A Bose A30 noise canceling headset, or a comparable set from Lightspeed.

April 10, 2025, 05:12 PM

rizzle

Driving school, she could learn how to Throttle Steer a Hellcat.

1 Day
$2199
4:1 Student-Instructor ratio
Ground School
Throttle Steer
Slalom
Accident Avoidance Drill
Handling Drill – Oval
Skid Control Training
Autocross Session
Track Lead + Follow
Graduation

https://radfordracingschool.com/driving-school/

April 10, 2025, 05:57 PM

patw

quote:
Originally posted by 71 TRUCK:
How much are you looking to spend.
Depending on how much, maybe a nice watch that could be used for flying.

I agree. Hamilton has an Aviation watch. Sunglasses can be a personal thing and depending on what size of the frame/lenses you want/fit, can turn someone off unless you take her to look at them first.

April 10, 2025, 06:04 PM

Texas Bob C.

A Glock 26 or Glock 19.

April 10, 2025, 08:21 PM

Nismo

A motorcycle.

April 10, 2025, 09:15 PM

MagnumU

If you go with sunglasses, I understand pilots prefer unpolarized so you can read HUD and displays without interference.

April 10, 2025, 09:40 PM

Dakor

quote:
Originally posted by trapper189:
How about Last Flight by Amelia Earhart? Fair warning, it’s a real cliffhanger.

Amelia was a lousy pilot.

Rather than get a book about that overblown woman, buy your daughter the biographic series written by Anne Morrow Lindbergh concerning her air travel exploits. All commercial pilots owe her and her famous husband a debt of gratitude given their navigational route accomplishments/maps across and in-between five continents. The stories in order are:
North to the Orient (first published in 1935) and Listen! The Wind (published in 1938). She also wrote Gift From the Sea (1955) which is a reflection of America and its women at the time of its publication. The writings themselves are no small accomplishment, winning many non-fiction book awards (back when they weren't paid for by the likes of the NY Times).